BPAC Events:

Through June 26: The National Yiddish Theatre Presents The Adventures of Hershele Ostropoyler

Through June 26: Platanos & Collard Greens

Baruch College Ranked as One of Five Most Affordable and Accessible Institutions With High Graduation Rates

According to a new report by the Education Trust, a research and advocacy group, Baruch College was named one of five four-year colleges — out of the 1,186 colleges examined — that is doing a good job serving low-income students. The study examined cost, graduation rates, and enrollment to determine their results. The full report can be viewed here. To read the full Chronicle of Education story, click here. Find an Inside Higher Ed story here.

Baruch College Graduates Class of 2011

On Wednesday, June 1, degrees were conferred on 4,184 Baruch College students at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. This 46th graduation ceremony for the College included two speakers: Irene M. Dorner, president and chief executive officer of HSBC Bank USA, N.A., who addressed the graduates of the morning session and Russlynn Ali, assistant secretary for civil rights at the U.S. Department of Education, who addressed the afternoon graduates. Baruch College President Mitchel Wallerstein kicked off the ceremony, telling the graduating audience, "you inspire me every day with your hard work."

Also honored at this year's commencement were four faculty members — Professors Alison Griffiths, Mindy Engle-Friedman, Cynthia Thompson, and Leigh Henderson — selected by the Baruch College community for their outstanding achievements as 2011 Presidential Excellence Award recipients. See more photos online

New Emergency Grant Available to Students

Baruch College is the recipient of a generous Carroll and Milton Petrie
Foundation Grant, which will help students who are facing a serious
financial emergency situation. To learn more about the student
emergency funds please visit the College's Financial Aid website.

Support CUNY Restoration of $45.2 Million to City Budget

As you may have heard, the proposed Fiscal 2012 budget for New York City calls for $45.2 million less in direct operating support for CUNY's six community colleges. We urgently ask you to contact City Council members to urge their support to restore the proposed reductions and provide critically needed funding.

The City's budget also proposes a cut of $6 million to the Peter F. Vallone Scholarship program. Scholarship support is crucial to CUNY students, most of whom work part-time or full-time while they pursue a degree.

Please visit www.supportcuny.org today and e-mail your council members. Draft letters are also provided below, and we encourage you to personalize them to reflect your individual circumstance or opinion. Please ask relatives, friends, alumni, and others to express their views. Especially in these difficult economic times, community colleges provide a crucial pathway to careers and educational advancement, thus strengthening New York's workforce and the tax base. Because of State guidelines, please be sure to send from your home/personal computer, using a non-university address.

New Issue of Baruch College Alumni Magazine (BCAM) for Spring/Summer 2011

With students and faculty immersed in exams and end-of-semester projects and nearly ready to lift their heads for a breath, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the challenges faced by the College as a whole. BCAM’s cover article investigates "Public Higher Education at the Tipping Point." Learn how Baruch is positioning itself for success at this difficult time when support for public higher education is lagging.

Where better than the alumni magazine to meet inspirational alumni, who underscore the College’s mission? Check out these profiles, among others:

Last November, Baruch’s ranks of alumni leaders grew with the addition of Michael Grimm, Class of ’95, who currently represents New York’s 13th district in the House of Representatives. Read about his path to Congress and what he hopes to accomplish for New York.

Ready for some fun?

You won’t want to miss this essay by preeminent Baruchian Carl Aylman, who retired last January from his position as director of student life (one he held since 1978). Aylman sums up 30+ years of Baruch wisdom with help from Einstein and the British band Chumbawamba.

The 39th Annual Athletic Department Awards Dinner took place on Thursday, May 26, to honor the College's varsity teams and student-athletes for their accomplishments during the 2010-11 year.

The department distributed various honorary and team awards, including plaques for each of the seniors finishing their outstanding athletic careers at Baruch College. In addition, each of the coaches presented their end of the season team awards in the category of MVP, Top Rookie or Coaches Award. More info

Two Baruch Student-Athletes Participating in CUNYAC Goodwill Tour to New Orleans

Baruch College students Mickey Abbatiello, a junior on the men's basketball team, and Alyssa Lubrino, a sophomore on the women's swimming team, are among 20 students and 10 administrators currently in New Orleans, Louisiana as part of the 2011 CUNY Athletic Conference's (CUNYAC) Goodwill Tour.

The trip, which runs from May 25 to June 4, provides participating students with a terrific opportunity to enhance their leadership and community relations skills by visiting areas still affected by Hurricane Katrina. See entries from their trip diary and more here.

CCI's 2011 three-day international conference has a global focus on the theory, practice, roles, processes, and issues of concern to corporate communication scholars and practitioners. The conference gathers speakers from industry and universities from across the globe in a collegial environment to exchange ideas and information on relevant issues facing the corporate world. Visit http://www.corporatecomm.org/conference.html for more information, to register, or to download a conference program and agenda.

Scott Tennant is considered to be one of the world's premiere guitar virtuosos and is a favorite guest artist with orchestras, on music series, and at major guitar festivals around the world. More info

Before the Marx Brothers, there was "Hershele," a beloved folk hero and
compassionate jester who battles injustice armed only with his wits. In
this comic tale full of song, Hershele mobilizes a community to overcome
the greedy desires of a villain who stands in the way of young love.
The lively music and "meshugene" antics will inspire gales of laughter,
set toes tapping and make for a truly memorable evening at the theater. More info

Platanos & Collard Greens is a sweetly enacted tale of
secret lovers — two college students from different cultures
attracted at first sight — until mom finds out and has a heart
attack! This smash hit play is now entering its seventh season! If you
haven't seen it yet, it's time to experience this hilarious
romantic comedy. More info